Thursday, November 1, 2012

Giveaway and Interview for "Autumn Changes" by Bev Nault

CONGRATULATIONS TO
KAREN K THE WINNER OF
AUTUMN CHANGES
 
I'd like to introduce Beverly Nault to my readers. Bev is a great writer and she is also my editor for "Death in Dahlonega" and "Murder in Marietta."  Let's give Bev a warm welcome and read on to learn more about her and her writing career.

 
 
 


Interview Questions
  1. Tell us a little about yourself. I’ve wanted to be an author ever since elementary school when I published a story about a line who wanted to be in a parade (you read that right…a line). If you count running off copies on the mimeograph machine, and stapling the edges together “published.” In the spirit of a lemonade stand, I had a book signing, and people lined up down the sidewalk to buy copies. Well, my mom and dad came. I think my older sister had a date that night. But I was hooked.
  2. Tell us about your most recent book/or the book we are focusing on. “Autumn Changes” is set in a  “Mitford-esque” fictional community. Cherryvale has been called a mash up between “Desperate Housewives” and Mayberry. The first book, “Fresh Start Summer” began the series, but readers can begin anywhere. Each one has unique storylines, and as you can tell, a definite “seasonal” setting. In “Autumn Changes,” preparations for the Harvest Festival loom, but the main characters, Grace & Maggie, have their hands full with teenagers they’re mentoring, and their friendship’s strained when they can’t agree over how to tackle the various challenges.
  3. Why did you choose this particular genre? To create an escape where the folks are friendly, and even though the characters are flawed like all of us, and their problems can feel real, you’ll want to return again and again to “rest” from your own worries. In Cherryvale, “the neighbors care, gardeners share, and God allows do-overs.” I sprinkle in “Kodak moments,” lots of furry pets, a touch of mystery. I believe a cozy read should provide a beautiful setting, funny moments, and encouragement for your day. Many fans tell me they purposely read slowly so they won’t finish too soon, and they’d love to move to the ‘Vale. I call them my honorary ‘Valers.
  4. What was your journey to publication like? I wrote for businesses for years, and tried to throw in the odd line of dialog or scenery, but the editors really discouraged that in software manuals. C’mon, lighten up! So the creative side in me burbled for years, and when our youngest child began college, I said to myself, “Self, what do you want to do with all your spare time?” No brainer! I enrolled in the Christian Writer’s Guild What’s Your Story Apprentice program to fine tune my skills for the general market. From that excellent online course, I birthed both my first fiction and nonfiction books in the same month, March 2011. I call “Fresh Start Summer,” and “Lessons from the Mountain, What I Learned from Erin Walton” (co-written with Mary Beth McDonough) my fraternal twins.
  5. What are a couple of your favorite books and what are you reading now? My favorite classic books include “Gone With the Wind,” which has an actual part in “Fresh Start Summer,” and “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which appears in “Autumn Changes.” Right now I’m reading “A Severe Mercy,” by Sheldon Vanauken, about the love affair with his wife that became their love affair with God. And Joanne Bischof’s new, lovely historical fiction, “Be Still My Soul,” is on my bedside table as well. Who can read one book at a time?
  1. What are you working on now and can you give us a little peek inside it? Of course! I’m preparing to release Cherryvale’s winter story, “Christmas Bells.” Think “Survivor; Cherryvale.” A blizzard threatens to ruin the town’s live nativity pageant and Grace’s wedding anniversary plans as well, but in God’s awesome way, He has lessons for everyone about the real meaning of the holiday. I’m also co-authoring another nonfiction memoir about a physician’s journey raising her son who struggles with ADHD and bi-polarism. Our working title is “God Stops; A pediatrician shares her faith lessons, offering hope from her personal journey raising a child with multiple behavioral and cognitive challenges.” Heavy title, worthy stuff.
  2. What advice would you give authors who are on their own journey to publication? First, have your head examined! Just kidding (sort of), but know it can be thrilling, grueling, disappointing, exhilarating, frustrating, joy filled….ahem. OK, begin by calling yourself a writer… out loud. Then write. And share your writing with people who are ahead of you in the journey, because they understand where you are headed. Find a class, join a brutally honest critique group, go to writer’s conferences. Read in your genre, and read ABOVE your genre…figure out how it’s done right, and what doesn’t work. Think of it as a business, and then you will be able to accept input. I imagine my “one” reader, and my “One” reader. Then I write to please her, but to glorify Him.
  3. Do you have any books or websites that have helped you with your writing that you could share with us? I actually wrote a blog post about this, so perhaps this is a good place to mention, “Bev Said What?” where I try to behave myself, and often succeed. Here’s the post where I chat with my friend, Danny, about getting started writing; http://beverlynault.com/2012/01/25/its-complicated-part-ii-or-the-road-to-publication/  
  4. Is there anything you’d like to tell us we haven’t covered? I am thrilled to share that “Fresh Start Summer” just received the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild Nancy Bayless Excellence in Writing Award. I wish this was a “sense-a-blog,” because the plaque’s so new it’s still got that “new award smell.” >laughs< Also, I’m writing shorter novellas that are perfect for new readers to see if they like my style. “Hearts Unlocked, A Thanksgiving Romance Novella,” will be free for three days on Kindle, November 18-20th. It’s a cozy read, perfect for kicking back and relaxing after tackling the turkey, and hitting those black Friday sales. Again, it’s a stand-alone story, but spoiler alert, the romance kindles a flame between two characters from “Autumn Changes.” But that was totally out of my control, I swear.  Did I mention “Hearts Unlocked” will be FREE?!
  5. Please let us know where we can find you on the web. I will, and thanks for having me, Debbie!!
Website www.beverlynault.com    Twitter @bevnault  Beverly's Pinterest  Beverly's Facebook
 
To win a copy of "Autumn Changes" please:
1) Be a follower or become a follower
2) Follow by email
3) Leave your email address
4) What is your favorite thing about fall (must answer)


 
 
 
 
 

10 comments:

  1. My favorite thing about fall? The leaf colors against a really blue sky! Sometimes that sight almost takes my breath away.

    I am a follower who also follows by e-mail.

    It would be great to win Autumn Changes and become a "Valer."

    Blessings, Janice jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I follow by email - marianneDOTwanhamATgmailDOTcom
    i follow via GFC - Marianne Barkman
    The thing i like most about Fall? - after Fall comes winter and my work load is about half of what it is as i am a farmer, besides being a reader. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Autumn Changes sounds wonderful! Thank you for doing a wonderful interview with Bev. My favorite thing about autumn is the intensity in the color of the sky. At no other time of the year is the sky so beautifully blue! The stark contrast of the colorful leaves against the sky is breathtaking! Thank you for offering this contest! I receive your emails and am a Google follower.
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  4. I enjoyed this interview with Bev a lot. I was surprised that her first book was just published this year in March. She sounds like a seasoned author. Bev, I too love Gone With The Wind. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read it!

    I would be thrilled to win a copy of "Autumn Changes."

    1) I just became a GFC follower - Judy
    2) I follow by email
    3) My email is sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
    4) My favorite thing about Fall is the crispness in the air and the smell of burning leaves. Hot chocolate is right up there too!

    Blessings!
    Judy


    ReplyDelete
  5. Great interview.
    I follow by email and am a GFC follower
    My email address is azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
    My favorite thing about fall is that the weather is starting to cool down a little since I live in Arizona

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. i love high school football games...
    thanks for the giveaway...i'm a follower, too

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. These autumn favorites are really fun to read through! It seems like no matter what part of the country or what your job, fall seems to bring in a light heartedness and the hope of change. LOL I guess the theme's pretty stuck in my head. Thanks Debbie, for having me, Im so glad to make some new friends!

    Janice, consider yourself a 'Valer already by your beautiful description of leaves against the blue sky!
    Marianne, I hadn't thought about fall bringing a time of rest for farmers. Well done, enjoy your "time off."
    Nancee, you and Janice must live near each other to notice the same colors against blue. (I may have to use that in my writing in the future, it strikes such a chord).
    Judy, when you said I'm "seasoned" it struck me how that fits in with "seasons!" And I like that better than senior...let's use that from now on. "Seasoned Citizens!"
    Jo my son lives in Arizona, and I know the gorgeous colors of the sunsets and cooler weather are indeed special.
    KarenK, as a Texas girl, you know I have high school football in my blood too, I agree!

    Sorry for the long comment, I'm just so glad to be here discussing one of MY favorite times of the year as well!

    See you all in the 'Vale, Grace & Maggie can't wait to meet each of you and show you around the CherryPath.
    Bev

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am a GFC follower

    What I like about fall...well, here in California more like the end of October, I like that the temperature finally goes down enough to stop running the A/C every day and I can open the windows again. It's not much but it's what means the most to me. I get to pull out long pants again in November and jackets again soon.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. 1) I follow via GFC
    2) I follow by email
    3) jswaks at gmail dot com
    4) I love the food - pecan pie, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin cheesecake!

    Jes

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am an email subscriber.
    I am a follower.
    My favorite thing about fall are the pretty leaves and cooler temperatures!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete